This month, our worst fears came true. The provincial government hired workers who hid their faces and were accompanied by dozens of officers to take down Tent City. We sensed the sweep was near, as NL Housing workers were on site daily encouraging people to move into shelters and suddenly had better shelter options than what was presented in the past. A lot of resident protesters chose to move into the shelters rather than face the sweep we all knew was coming. Volunteers started sleeping in tents and in their cars overnight to be ready for when the police came. Friday, May 3rd government workers began constructing a temporary fence at 5 in the morning. They put a large chain around the front entrance and locked the gates at the Colonial Building. Rather than let the government put everything in the garbage, volunteers showed up to protest and to help the take down. We piled everything into a rented truck and moved them into a storage unit, and for the past few weeks have been cleaning and organizing what was taken.
We have also been continuing to support resident protesters that are in the shelter system. Once they are placed into a shelter, their income support is reduced to $175/month. We have used TC4C funds to supplement this miniscule amount with basic groceries, menstrual products, medicines, cell phone minutes, and yes, harm reduction items, including beer, weed, and cigarettes. We believe that people who are struggling deserve comfort items and we want to support them with whatever gets them through their day.
This month we held a fundraiser with St. Michael’s and were able to print about 100 shirts and patches and raise $2,000. These funds will be used to cover the costs of cleaning and storing items, as well as supporting those in shelters. Since October, we have received $26,455.90 and that is a testament to the community support for Housing Justice.
We will continue to protest and advocate for those on the streets and in the shelters. We will not abandon them. We hope to make announcements soon about how more people can get involved in the Housing Justice Collective and the long-term organizing that is needed to end no-fault evictions, legislate a rental cap, enact shelter standards, and solve the housing crisis.
Thank you for sticking with us! Tent City may have been torn down but together we can continue what this powerful project started.
Wow, we have made it through the winter!!! That was not easy!!! With your financial contributions, we were able to keep people warm and fed these past few months, and honestly, without your donations, the situation could have been very different, and potentially lethal. We made it through several massive snow storms and very cold nights because of you. We are so thankful for the 102 people who have donated, sometimes multiple times. Your support for this cause has allowed more than 25 volunteers to support more than 50 resident protesters in their struggle against the dirty, dangerous, and degrading shelter system. This protest has also been supported by countless others who have dropped off donations, brought hot meals, shared social media posts, and voiced their concerns about housing in this province. We see you and we appreciate you!!
As the weather is warming, we are seeing more people moving into Tent City. Currently there are 7 tents up, all of them insulated and waterproof, housing 14 people. As the weather warms, we are expecting the number of resident protesters to grow.
The protest has seen some important gains - for example, the provincial government has created a Minister of Housing position, which we hope will lead to more action on this crucial portfolio. The federal government has also given millions to the City of St. John’s to create affordable housing, and we have seen many non-profits hiring staff to support housing including First Light, John Howard Society, Qalipu First Nation, Stella’s Circle, and St. John’s Status of Women’s Council. We hope this will increase capacity to support those living in the shelter system access services and move into permanent housing.
Not all news has been good though. We were extremely frustrated to see security cameras were installed around the Colonial Building, directed at Tent City. We took the initiative to ATIPP the government and find out how much the security cameras cost, and were devastated to learn that it was more than $21,000, almost equal to the amount of money we have spent on camp supplies in 5 months. We are confident that no vandalism towards the building has taken place and we have taken many steps to ensure the area is clean. This was completely unnecessary and frankly disrespectful and degrading.
We were also frustrated by the announcement that the provincial government would begin housing people at the Comfort Inn by the airport in St. John’s. This is another private shelter solution that was given to a Liberal party donor with no transparency about how the decision was made. This hotel is far from any services that individuals will need and will be highly securitized. We do not see this as a solution to the housing crisis, but another band-aid that will quickly fall off.
What do we want instead? We are demanding
Consistent electricity for heat and light for resident protestors at Tent City
Wifi for resident protestors to access resources and make appointments
A warming center in the unused Bannerman pool house for resident protestors
A change in legislation to end to no-fault evictions
These demands have been previously denied; but we still have hope!
Long-term we want safe, secure, accessible, unconditional, long term housing for all. No quick fixes, no bandaid solutions.
We will continue to fight for these demands by supporting resident protesters living at Tent City and by amplifying their concerns, so the public will know what is happening and why.
Your financial contributions make this possible. Thank you for your support! We keep each other safe
From October 10, 2023 to March 19, 2024, funds have been spent by Tent City 4 Change volunteers on the following:
Food and Beverages: $11,000
Propane and Heating: $5,000
Propane refills
Propane heater
Purchase for stove repair
Wood
Fishing tents and camping tents
Supplies and Miscellaneous: $5,000
Paper plates, wooden cutlery, knives, cutting boards, SOS pads
Emergency blankets
Socks, underwear
Lanterns, Headlights
Garbage bags, Cleaning supplies
Headlights, sharpie, harm reduction items
Phones, phone cases, minutes, SIM card, phone plan
Sign-making supplies
Tape, lighters, candles, razors, duct tape
Pharmacy supplies- depends, aspirin, cold medicine, prescriptions
Winter gloves, hand warmers, blankets
Weed, cigarettes, and alcohol
We would like to thank the following volunteers who have made these purchases on behalf of TC4C: Brittany, Caitlin, Duncan, Jackie, Janine, Jennifer, Jen, Jodi, Jude, Katie-Ellen, Kerri, Laurel, Lee, Mark, Madison, Rhys, Randi, Rowan, Samuel, Shawn, and Stephanie.
We would like to thank as well the following individuals who donated to this fund: Alison, Alicia, Allan, Amanda, Amy, Angela, Brandon, Caitlin, Carroll, Charlie, Chelsea, Christina, Christopher, Colleen, Daze, David, Diana, Erin, Elizabeth, Emma, Gabby, Gregory, Hannah, Hanna, Hannah, Heather, Ivo, Janet, Jamie, Janet, Janine, Jason, Jessica, Jessika, Jillian, Jeremy, Jen, Jennifer, Jessica, Jonathan, Joshua, Judy, Kaitlyn, Kara, Karen, Kate, Kathleen, Katie, Kay, Keith, Kelly, Kelsey, Kerri, Kristen, Laura, Lauren, Leah, Leah, Lee, Linda, Madisan, Mahina, Mara, Margaret, Mandy, Mark, Marilyn, Mary, Maxine, Meaghan, Melanie, Michael, Morgan, Nathalie, Nicole, Neria, Oz, Paige, Paul, Rebecca, Renée, Rhys, Rachelle, Robert, Ruth, Rachel, Robin, Ruth, Samuel, Sarah, Selina, Stacey, Stephanie, Stephanie, Sarah, Stephanie, Susan, Shaye, Stacy, Samantha, Sadie, Sarah, Samantha, Selina, Sarah, Stephanie, Sobia, Steven, Susan, Selina, Stephanie, Sobia, Stephanie, Stacey, Selina, Sarah, Theo, Tiffany, Ruth, Rhys, Taylor, Kay, Rebecca, William, Y, Yasmin
We want to thank the community for helping to maintain this protest for 4 months! While numbers at camp have decreased from 15-20 to 5-10 due to the cold conditions, we are still supporting resident protestors with daily hot meals, propane to stay warm, and a variety of miscellaneous items like phone plans, dishware, hand warmers, socks, underwear, etc.
Some protesters are getting permanent housing, others are moving into shelters because it is too cold outside, while more are experiencing issues with their housing and new faces show up at Tent City every day.
Through relationships formed at Tent City, we are also supporting folks who have moved into shelters or found housing, mostly with groceries and hot meals. We have learned that these shelters sometimes only feed people 2 times a day, do not stock groceries, and do not allow visitors.
This protest has uncovered some very serious issues with housing in our province and has been effective in getting media and political attention to this issue, and for putting forward serious government action. We do not believe that the taskforce, the 8 housing units or the hotel to transitional housing initiative announced by government last week would have happened without this protest.
Our government expects us not to care about unhoused people. We are expected to believe they must be stupid or lazy to end up on the streets. But through this protest, we have met so many wonderful people who just couldn't catch a break and there are many, many reasons why someone is forced to live on the street.
To create billionaires like we have in Canada requires exploiting the work and land of a huge number of people. There is enough to go around, but when some people hoard the wealth, they are creating the poverty that we are seeing across the province, the country, and the world.
We are so thankful for the community that has raised $14412.10 in the past few months! We know how many people are struggling and that every dollar raised is a sign of solidarity, recognizing that we are in this struggle together.
This money has been fundamental in allowing us to support a hot meal train ($3,170), buy one ice fishing tent ($500), and support residents in a variety of ways. Currently we are spending the most on groceries and propane ($771 last week). Other items purchased include candles, headlights, batteries, phone minutes, cellphones, tape, blankets, mugs, bowls, soap, mass gainer, ensure, tylenol, medicine, hot paws, as well as harm reduction items such as cigarettes, cannabis, and beer.
These expenses would not be possible without the dozen or more volunteers who are working steadfastly to keep Tent City 4 Change going. They show up every day to check on resident protesters and report on what is needed at camp. They bring them hot meals, pick up and deliver the items that are needed, take resident protesters to medical appointments, clean up the site, and they provide a variety of peer counseling and community connecting to ensure folks feel supported and are accessing services they need.
Donations are being held by the Social Justice Co-operative NL. Annual treasurer’s reports are available on their website and are presented at the Annual General Meeting. Monthly bank statements are shared in the SJC newsletter. More information can be found at www.sjcnl.ca or by emailing [email protected]
As we receive donations (159 so far!) we occasionally receive kind and supportive notes that we wanted to share. These contributions fuel our work and we
For the couple in need of a tent <3 thank you for everything you do!
Hope the insulated tent happens soon! Thanks to all of you! Julia
Housing is a right, not a privilege.
My Donation to the “NL government can eat a bag of dicks” foundation
No one should be homeless
No prom dresses or floor cleaner I promise
On behalf of Fogtown Hardcore.
Power to the people. Keep up the work, we see you and we appreciate you!
Solidarity
Stay strong.
Stay warm, don't give up.
Talking to Mark about the project, Merry Christmas!
Thank you all for being such excellent advocates. You are true leaders.
Thank you for fighting for the right to housing for all! Wishing you well.
Thank you so much for everything you are doing to protect the most vulnerable members of our community!!!
Thank you tc4c for all the support you offer to our community
We keep us safe
You deserve everything you need and want
We would also like to thank the following people for their financial contributions: Chloe, Ruth, Hannah, Mandy, Erin, Elizabeth, Caitlin, Allison, Cate, Stephanie, Selina, Y, Gregory, Allan, Abi, Katie, Rhys, Kale, L, Jillian, Stacey, Shaye, Sarah, A, Renée, Elizabeth, Tiffany, Stacey, Shaye, Kaitlyn, Melanie, Amanda, Alison, Mark, Shaye, Karen, Maria, Angela Viviana, Mary, Shaye, Janet, Hanna, Dawn, Elizabeth, Mark, Shaye, Paige, Sarah, Maxine, Karen, Stephanie, Stephanie, Ayla, Paul, Nathalie, Michael, Jeremy, Brandon, Rachelle, Lauren, Shaye, Robin, Heather, Leah, Amber, Carla, Rachel, Katie, Margaret, Linda E., Gabby, Cate, Nikki, Leah, Shaye, Peter, Brandon, Chris, Shaye, Krista, Stacey, Christopher, Christopher, Nicole, Kari, Nicole, Nathalie, Kavi, Peter, Shaye, David, Oz, Chelsea, Mara, Brandon, Leah, Maggie, Keith, Alyson, Carroll, Ivo, Mahina, Caitlin, Elizabeth, Shaye, Nathalie, Stacey, Judy, Dano, Hanna, Sarah, Colleen, Allison, Nicole, Kai, Kay, Kristen, Keri, Carmel, Melanie, Stephanie, Jenna Oliver, Kelly, Marilyn, Julia, Nicole, Laura, C Gray, Mary, Morgan, Hannah, Kai, Nicole, Nathalie, Caitlin, Dano, Jamie, Rhys, Linda, Mandy, Meaghan, Allison, Maria, Emma, Megan, Linda, Robert, Diana, Dani, Alicia, Kai, Kai, Sarah, Kay, Heather, Rebecca, Laura, Krystal.